TNAG-1470-FCO40-1999-Visits-by-Chinese-officials-to-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 102

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second, the executive responsible for presecuting criminals

and enforcing the law; and third the legal arm of the

government which guarded the legal system and made new laws

in response to changing needs. It would therefore be important for the delegation to have a thorough discussion

with the AG and his colleagues on the role of the Legal

Department in this respect. While the drafting of the

Basic Law was a matter for CPG, it would be important that

the Basic Law would be compatible wit the substantial

international content of the local legislation. The

trading and financial community in Hong Kong would be

apprehensive if the Basic Law went out of phase.

14.

hospitality

Mr. LU thanked the Governor again for his

and all the arrangements enabling

them to understand Hong Kong better.

Comment

15.

Nothing substantive emerged. But HE had

set the scene reminding LU Ping to start looking at the

existing system, and to talk to the real practitioners in

that system. He emphasised that any structural change should

evolve gradually from the solid base of the present system

and should only take place in response to genuine social

needs.

CONFIDENTIAL #52